Smile that hide blade
758 Words
Episode 7 – Smiles That Hide Blades
The palace felt different that morning.
Word had spread quickly — the king had risen fully to power, now ruling without hesitation. His authority filled every corner of the palace, and even the elders spoke more carefully around him.
But power also brought fear.
And hidden enemies became harder to see.
---
In the servant quarters, Imyub moved quickly through the halls, her heart uneasy.
She found Nyang alone near the water garden.
“Please… you need to be careful,” Imyub whispered urgently.
Nyang turned. “Careful? Of what?”
Imyub lowered her voice.
“The Queen Dowager… the king’s mother… she is not as kind as she appears.”
Nyang frowned. “Why do you say that?”
Imyub glanced around before speaking again.
“She smiles at you in front of everyone… but it is not love. It is control.”
A pause.
“She doesn’t keep what she cannot control.”
Nyang fell silent.
For the first time, doubt settled in her heart.
---
Later that day, the palace hosted a royal gathering.
The Queen Dowager, the king’s mother, entered with calm grace. Her presence was respected by all.
She approached Nyang with a warm smile.
“My dear,” she said softly, “you have grown into a strong young woman.”
Nyang bowed slightly, unsure of her sudden kindness.
“I only wish to serve the palace well, my queen.”
The Queen Dowager placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“You remind me of someone I once loved dearly.”
Her smile stayed soft… almost motherly.
“And I will protect you as my own.”
But behind that warmth, her eyes were sharp.
She had already seen what Nyang was becoming near the king.
Too influential. Too visible. Too unpredictable.
And in her mind, she made a silent decision:
Nyang would either be controlled…
Or removed.
---
From a distance, Imyub watched quietly, her hands trembling slightly.
“She is already planning something,” she whispered.
And above them all, the king watched from his chamber window…
Unaware that the danger was not outside the palace—
But smiling directly in front of him.
EPISODE 8
– Wife Game
The palace was no longer calm.
Two forces were now moving in silence.
The Queen Dowager (the king’s mother)… and the Queen (the king’s wife).
And between them stood Nyang.
---
In the queen’s chamber, the Queen (king’s wife) sat in front of her mirror, adjusting her jewelry slowly.
Her face was calm… but her eyes were not.
“She smiles too much,” the queen muttered.
Behind her stood one of her trusted maids.
“You mean Nyang?” the maid asked carefully.
The queen’s lips curved slightly.
“Yes.”
She stood up slowly.
“She is becoming too close to the king. Too visible. Too comfortable.”
A pause.
Then her voice softened… dangerously.
“In this palace, comfort is the beginning of replacement.”
---
Later that day, Nyang was called to the royal hall.
The Queen was already there… sitting beside the king with perfect grace.
“Welcome, Nyang,” the Queen said sweetly.
Nyang bowed. “Your Majesty.”
The Queen smiled.
“I have heard you are very… helpful to the king lately.”
The words sounded polite.
But her eyes were sharp.
Nyang replied calmly, “I only serve the palace.”
The Queen tilted her head.
“Of course you do.”
A pause.
Then she gently placed her hand on the king’s arm.
“You know, my king,” she said softly, “loyalty is a beautiful thing… but sometimes, people confuse attention with loyalty.”
The king looked at her briefly.
Nyang stayed silent.
But she felt it.
The shift.
---
From behind a pillar, Imyub watched everything.
Her expression tightened.
“Now there are two of them,” she whispered. “And both are smiling.”
---
That night, the Queen sat alone in her chamber.
Her calm smile faded.
“She will not take my place,” she said quietly.
A servant stepped forward.
“What should we do, my queen?”
The Queen’s eyes darkened slightly.
“We don’t fight her directly.”
A pause.
“We make the king doubt her… slowly.”
She leaned back.
“Let the game begin properly.”
Because now it was no longer just jealousy.
It was strategy.
And in the palace…
The most dangerous game is always played with a smile.
- Writer
